z

Schedule details will be filled in as we progress through the semester. Pay close attention and check it regularly. Don’t print out.

You will receive an email (or more) each week with updates and possible changes.

Weeks 1-2 Self-Intros and Thinking about the Creative Process

Weeks 2-3 What Is a Story Anyway? Fundamental Elements

Weeks 4-5 Finding the Story Plot & Locating the Story in a Sequence of Events Weeks 6-7 Who Dat? Characterization & Inventing Characters

Weeks 8-9 The Plot Thickens

Weeks 10-11 Worldbuilding

Weeks 12-13 Up to You, Babe

Weeks 13-16 The Big Show Writing a Full-Length Story

323 Semester Overview

Spring, 2020 Modules

English 323 ONLINE Full ScheduleNichols, Spring 2020

FRI Fri. Jan. 17 Introduction

Do Purchase our textbook. Browse around our whole

Blackboard (Bb) to get familiar with the layout.

Begin In Bb/Pub/Exercises Feel free to get started on Exercise

#1 any time, even though it isn’t due unil Jan. 30. Who Dat? Creating a character.

Read

From main Bb menu: Homepage: read carefully

In Wonderbook Browse “Introduction” ppl xi-xix

Week 2

By Mon. Jan. 20 Module 1

Self-Intros & Thinking About the Creative

Process

ReadIn Wonderbook

Chapter 1: Inspiration and the Creative Life, pp. 1-40 (main text only; you don’t have to read the marginalia, spotlights, essays, and inserts.)

WatchIn Class Library/Power Point Presentations

A Perspectives Wheel (very long; watch just the first few slides, then a bit of the rest)

Complete In Pub/Conversations/ CONVO #1, Introduce Yourself &

2

Discuss the Creative Process. Draw on the reading assignment and Power Point, if you can.

By Wed. Jan. 22

Complete

In Pub/Conversations CONVO #2, Respond to Your

Classmate’s Self-Intro and Views on Creative Writing

In Pub/Triple Shot Coffee Corner Write a couple pieces of Triple Shot

or Sprint Fiction. This is a story written with speed and crazy courage and pure pleasure, and only about 300-700 words (very flexible). Don’t think; don’t stress; just write. Be nuts. If you bump into a great image, phrase, passage of dialogue, philosophical idea, descriptive detail, or character—excellent. Save it in a file or notebook. Just see what happens.

Watch In Bb/Class Library/Videos Video: Cindy Discusses Blackboard &

Course Intro

Keep an eye out all term for Cindy’s emails and flash audio-visual memos.

By Fri. Jan. 24 Module 2

What is a Story Anyway?

Read In Wonderbook Chap. 2, ”The Ecosystem of Story,”

pp. 41-half-way down p. 69 (main text only)

In Class Library/Readings/Fiction “The Poet’s Husband”

Complete In Pub/Conversations/ CONVO #3, Reviewing the Basics of

Fiction: Close Reading of ‘A Poet’s Husband”

As of 1/26, Cindy has some feedback to your posts for this CONVO.

Week 3 By Tues. Jan. 28

3

Complete In Pub/Exercises Exercise #1: Who Dat?

We will come back to this soon; stay tuned.

By Wed. Jan. 29

CompleteIn Pub/Conversations/

CONVO #4, Responding to Classmate's Work with "A Poet's Husband"

ReadIn Pub/Class Library/Student Samples/

What Is a Story Anyway? Description & the Imaginary (from your sprint fiction)

In Pub/Class Library/Written Lectures etc. Giles' Story, Black Dress,

Descriptive Details

WatchIn Class Library/Videos etc.

Cindy Looks at Upcoming Schedule

In Class Library/Videos etc. What Is a Story Anyway? (Cindy

Discusses First Sprint Stories)o Intensity of Descriptive Detail

(vs. Expository Writing)o Creative Nonfiction vs

Fiction, or Memoir vs Fiction

By Fri. Jan. 31

Complete

In Pub/Triple Shot Coffee Corner/Sprint Piece #2

Write a new piece of sprint fiction. Remember: this is first and foremost for fun and practice. Just see what comes. 300-700 words (aproximate). This is also material we will use for a whole lot of thinking about stories. BTW, “sprint” means quick, without reservation, brave. Kind of like flash fiction, but flash fiction’s primary feature is short length; sprint fiction’s primary feature is abandon, confidence, speed, going for what

Stay tuned for possible comments on your last sprint pieces!

4

occurs to you without worry.

Week 4 By Mon. Feb. 3Module 3

Finding the Story

Watch In Class Library/Videos etc. Cindy Looks at Upcoming

Schedule Week of Feb. 3

This module is all about finding a story in any situation & practicing some skills: shaping a plot, providing description, using dialogue.

By Wed. Feb 5

Watch and Do

In Class Library/Power Point Presentations Exercise #2 Finding the Story

You will be using one Power Point presentation for Exercise #2. The Power Point itself gives you full instructions. Just follow it all the way through carefully.

The exercise is in two Parts, both explained step-by-step in the Power Point. You should try to finish Part I today, though you don’t have to post anything yet; just save your document.

You should complete Part II by Mon. the 10th, then turn in the single document to our Exercises forum.

You do need to follow the instructions in the Power Point closely.

By Fri. Feb. 7

Watch and DoIn Class Library/Power Point Presentations

Exercise #2 Finding the Story (same Power Point as for Wed). This contains instructions for Exercise

This is a densely packed, mostly textual Power Point. I am giving you material in a variety of forms to keep things interesting

5

#2.

As for Wed., follow the Power Point closely, and be working on Part II of the Exercise, using the same document you started with.

We actually won’t have dense readings like this one for awhile after Feb 7.

Week 5 By Mon. Feb. 10

Complete

In Pub/Exercises/Exercise #2 Exercise #2 Finding the Story.

Remember that instructions for this are in the Power Point titled, Exercise #2 Finding the Story.

Your document containing Parts I and II is due today.

It is fully ok to work a bit ahead and post your materials to the Pub before due dates!

If you do choose to work ahead, however, be aware that some items on the schedule may not yet be posted in Bb, but will be soon.

By Fri. Feb. 14

Watch

In Class Library/Videos etc. Multi-Subject Video:

o Brief Semester Review, Jan. 13-Wed. Feb. 12

o Revisiting Sprint Assignment #2

o Looking at Responses to Exercise #2

Week 6By Mon. Feb. 17

Module 4Who Dat? Thinking about

Character

Watch In Class Library/Power Point Presentations Who Dat? Thinking about Character

through Portraits

By Tues. Feb. 18

Read In Class Library/Fiction Models/ Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral”

By Wed. Feb. 19 EXERCISE #3 DUE

6

Complete In Pub/Exercises/ Exercise #3 “Cathedral”

Worksheet

By Thurs. Feb. 20SP

SPRINT STORY #2 DUE

Complete

In Pub/Triple Shot Coffee Corner/ Sprint Piece #2 Wide-Open Shot

This was originally assigned for Jan. 31st, but few handed it in.

I am extending the deadline to today.

Week 7By Mon. Feb. 24

Module 5The Plot Thickens

EXERCISE #4 DUE

Complete In Pub/Exercises/ Exercise #4 Who Dat? Expanding

Your Invented Character

By Fri. Feb. 28EXERCISE #5 &SPRINT STORY #3 DUE

Complete In Pub/Exercises/ Exercise #5 The Plot Thickens

(Sketching Plots for Your Invented Character)

Read In Wonderbook “Creating Scenes,” pp.154-155. Chap. 6, “Characterization,” pp. 177-

top of 185, and 189-192. Feel free to skim and read everything in the chapter!

Don’t forget that you do not have to read the various marginalia and inserts unless instructed to; just the main text.

Complete In Pub/Triple Shot Coffee Corner/ Sprint Piece #3 The Custom Shot

(Writing an Actual Scene or Story

7

about Your Invented Character)

Week 8 By Mon. March 2

Read

In Class Library/Fiction Models/ Tim O’Brien’s “How to Tell a True

War Story” Dave Eggars, “After I Was Thrown in

the River and Before I Drowned”

ALSOBe sure to have read documents Cindy sent out Feb. 29th (these are all located in our Class Library as well):

LECTURE: “Thinking about Character in Short Stories: Ray Carver’s ‘Cathedral’”

CHART: “Charting the Main Character in Raymond Carver’s ‘Cathedral’”

Image document: Vonnegut’s “The Shape of Stories”

Document: “Kurt Vonnegut’s 8 Rules for Writing Fiction”

By Fri. March 6The exercise due today is somewhat

involved; take your time and let me know if you have questions.

Remember that you have a one-week grace period.

EXERCISE #6 &SPRINT STORY #4 DUE

Complete

In Pub/Exercises/Exercise #6 Working with Character, Plot, and

Scene Using Vonnegut’s Chart and Storyboards

In Pub/Triple Shot Coffee Corner/ Sprint Piece #4 Someone Just

Like You

Week 9By Mon. March 9

Module 6Worldbuilding

Where are We?

8

BeginIn Pub/Conversations/

Begin CONVO #5 Worldbuilding and O’Brien’s “How to Tell a True War Story” (spread your responses over the next week; don’t post all of your comments at the beginning, middle, or the end of this period. Watch for more of your classmates’ posts, and finish by Sat. March 14)

By Wed. March 11

Read

In Wonderbook Chap. 6, “Worldbuilding,” pp. 211-

244. Remember you want to read the main text only; you don’t have to read the marginalia, spotlights, essays, and inserts. HOWEVER, in this chapter I would like you to read “What Everyone Knows,” pp. 223-224, a short essay set off from the main text.

Pay special attention to o “Characteristics of a Well-

Realized Setting,” pp. 220-232;

o “Dangers and Opportunities,” pp. 233-244 (read the last few paragraphs carefully).

By Fri. March 13 SPRINT STORY #5 DUE

CompleteIn Pub/Triple Shot Coffee Corner/

Sprint Piece #5 Spiff Up Setting in One of Your Already-Completed Sprint Stories (or write a new story)

FinishIn Pub/Conversations

CONVO #5 (you should be working on this from Mon. March 6 through today)

March 16-20Spring Break!

9

MIDTERM COURSE EVAL

Evaluation Form CLICK HERE. Send to Cindy.Nichols@ndsu.edu by the Mon. after break.

Week 10 Mon. March 23

Begin

In Pub/Conversations Begin CONVO #6 (spread your

responses over the next week; don’t post all of your comments at the beginning or the end of this period. Watch for more of your classmates’ posts, and finish by Fri. March 27)

Learn Bb Collaborate. Read this document for

instructions. In Bb/Triple-Shot Coffee Corner

Sprint Story #6

Fri. March 27

SPRINT STORY #6DUE

FINAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO CONVO #6 DUE

DOODLE POLL DUE

Complete

Doodle Poll Click here to participate in a poll.

This will help us find a time when most of us can meet for a video conference.

Remember that this week has primarily been about worldbuilding: creating settings—from the realist to the fantastical—and the unique ideological realities

10

In Pub/Triple Shot Coffee Corner Sprint Piece #6 Alternative

Worlds

Remember that this week has primarily been about worldbuilding: creating settings—from the realist to the fantastical—and the unique ideological realities characters inhabit.

characters inhabit.

Week 11

Mon. March 30-Fri. April 10

Module 7Next 2 Weeks: Up to You,

Babe!

A do-it-yourself pair of weeks selecting your own readings, learning about your choice of skills and issues, and practicing your choice of sprint story.

Watch for coming lectures—written and recorded—on your sprint stories.

By Fri. April 3 EXERCISE #7 DUE

Complete In Bb/Pub/Exercises/ Exercise #7

This is your task for the week of March 30.

Week 12By Fri. April 10

COLLABORATE MEETINGPOSTPONED TO APRIL 17

Complete

In Bb/Pub/Exercises/ Exercise #8 Up to You, Babe, Part II:

repeat what you did previous week, but this time using outside sources

As you did the previous week, you will work on an exercise that allows for independent choices and topics.

Week 13

Mon. April 13 HolidayModule 8

The Big ShowWriting a good, full-length story that

shows off what you’ve learned

Begin! Get started on story project. CLICK HERE FOR CALENDAR

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR MAJOR STORY

11

VIEW OF APRIL ASSIGNMENT

Optional April 15 through April 16

Work intensively on story.Watch for videos, lectures, and helpful

materials from Cindy; check email frequently all week.

Fri. April 17Collaborate Meeting

EXERCISE #8 & ORAL REPORT DUE

Complete & Participate

If you cannot meet at the indicated times, you will produce a written report to share with the class in CONVO #7, due Mon. April 20th.

Please come to our Course Room at one of the following times:11:00, 12:30, 2:00

Everyone will report on what they came up with for Exercises #7 & 8:

1. What did you read?2. What did you study? 3. What did you learn? 4. How will you integrate what you

learned into your major story?5. How is your major story coming

along? What help do you need?

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORAL REPORT ASSIGNMENT

Week 14By Mon. April 20

Draft #1 & Peer Critique Due

By 10 AM

Post your draft as a Word document In Bb/Pub/Major Story Workshopping: drafting & critiquing

Major Story Draft #1 Submissions & Peer Critiques

Minimum 3 single-spaced pages.

Partial outline is ok.

Critique two of your classmates’ draftsin Bb/Pub/Major Story Workshopping: CLICK HERE for Critique

POSTPONED FROM LAST WEEK

12

By 10 PM drafting & critiquing Major Story Draft #1

Submissions & Peer Critiques

Form

Also available in the Workshop forum

CompleteOnly for people who could not participate in Friday’s face-to-face sessions:

In/Pub/Conversations CONVO #7

By Thurs. April 23Draft #2 Due

Hand InIn Bb/Pub/Workshop: drafting & critiquing:

Story Project Draft #2 Conference with Instructor

Fri. April 24SCHEDULED

CONFERENCES

Attend in Collaborate Course Room

Click here for conference days and times. For evening people: let me know if you’d prefer an earlier time on some other day.

Sat. April 25SCHEDULED

CONFERENCES

Attend in Collaborate Course Room

Click here for conference days and times. For Saturday people: let me know if you’d prefer a time on some other day.

Week 15 Mon. April 27

Follow-up conferences, as-needed.

Optional By Wed. April 29Draft #3 Due

Post your draft as a Word document

13

By 10 AM

In Bb/Pub/Major Story Workshopping: drafting & critiquing:

Major Story Draft #3 Submissions & Peer Critiques

Minimum 4 single-spaced pages

By 10 PMCritique two of your classmates’ draftsin Bb/Pub/Major Story Workshopping: drafting & critiquing

Major Story Draft #3 SubmissionsPeer Critiques

CLICK HERE for Critique Form

Also available in the Workshop forum

Begin Begin working on Reflective Letter (if you haven’t already)

CLICK HERE for R eflective Letter Assignment

Fri. May 1

Office hours 10-2:00 CLICK HERE FOR CALENDAR VIEW OF

M ay

Week 16By Wed. May 6

MAJOR STORY AND REFLECTIVE LETTER DUE

Fri. May 8: last day of regular classes.

In Bb/Pub/ Finished Major Story hand-in Reflective Letter hand-in

By Fri. May 8Course Evaluation

Due

14

Have a great summer!!

15